In August 1982, John Stokes weighed more than 20 stones - in August 1998 he weighs 13 stones and is just about to run his 100th marathon.

"I used to play a lot of darts and of course the weight started to pour on. I was doing no exercise and I smoked at the time," said the 52-year-old painter and decorator from Swanley.

In 1984 he consulted his GP who said he could be putting a strain on his heart. "It hit home to me then," said Stokes. By 1985 his weight had dropped to an incredible 10st 3lbs.

After breaking his ankle last year, Stokes has levelled out to 13 stones and is just one step away from his greatest achievement yet. Well, a few hundred thousand steps actually. On September 6 he is running his 100th marathon in Thanet.

He has fond memories of the East Kent event. "I'd say my favourite marathon, apart from London, has got to be the Thanet because I broke three hours for the first time on that course," he said. He actually set a personal best time of 2:59:02 and went on to record two more sub three-hour runs.

Other favourites included this year's Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon marathon, where the course followed a canal route and an off-road run in the New Forest.

Stokes didn't realise that a knowledge of map-reading was essential for the event. "We finished seven hours and 17 minutes later," he laughed. "I lost my shoes twice in the mud - I'll always remember it as it was my 90th race.".

To celebrate his 100th, his running club, New Eltham Joggers, is sending two coach-loads of supporters to Thanet. These will include his wife Reana and friends from other clubs such as Dartford Harriers, where he was a member for 15 years. "New Eltham Joggers is a wonderful club for the social side of things," said Stokes.

His marathon running has taken him to New York, Paris, Rotterdam and Dublin, and Stokes has already completed 13 English events this year. But is Thanet going to be his last one? "I might put in one or two more but I'd like to step down to 10km races and half-marathons," he said. He has also enrolled on an athletics coaching course. "I'd like to further myself in the sport and help other people," he explained.

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